Take the shutters down. I don't think you need wider trim. I would move the tree to the left corner of the house, centered on the space to the left of the window, but few more feet away from the house.

Love the gray, white and black of your house. Very charming.

Thanks so much for your help! Just out of curiosity - why take the shutters down?

If the balance bothers you, can you replace the window with something wider? Or a 3-ganged window? To answer your question about the shutters, they should be in proportion to the windows, namely that they should be wide enough so that they look like they could cover the window if you closed them. Because that was the original intent of shutters, if they are too narrow, then they look awkward.

Thanks Diana! Do you think the shutters are too narrow in this case? Would you opt for keeping
or removing them?

Technically, yes, they are too narrow. But I think removing them altogether will cause the left side to look even more unbalanced, so maybe replace them with wider ones that look more authentic. Or just paint them black, which looks nice too. I think replacing them with wide enough trim would look worse.

Same size White shitters and move the tree straight out away from the house. You'll still get summer shade but less leaves in the gutter.

Proper-sized white shutters will balance out the larger bay window. I would paint the door a brighter color to make it a better focal point (light pink, soft green or blue, pale yellow). And yes, the tree should be moved as it’s roots will need more room. Expand the steps to match the landing as @Donald suggested.

It’s a cute house but I agree that those shutters are the least of your worries. The steps are way undersized, and the sidewalk too.

Remove that tree on the left and move that flower pot that’s trying to hide your tiny entry.

And I don’t see anything wrong with the bay window. It’s lovely. Your hydrangeas are too! Hopefully they are a variety that won’t grow much taller.

You could either remove shutters and add a wide trim or replace shutters with wider ones (even add a window box for more of a cottage feel). Suggest them being white to create a more balanced look with other side.

If possible, move tree to left and suggest creating more symmetry by duplicating the landscaping on both sides.

A different color on front door is another idea.

Thank you, everyone! I'm stuck between proper-sized white shutters and widening the window / removing the shutters (though that will certainly break the bank)...

Would widening the steps and landing to the nearest edge of the bay window (blue line) just emphasize the asymmetry issue? Or could

it look nice?

Tree way too close to house, door needs a bright color. I'd do wider steps, covered if possible.

Agree properly sized white shutters would be a nice balance with the other window. As already mentioned, each shutter should be half the window's width to look more authentic.

Love the window box from Maureen.

No shutters, trim out the window frame.

cute house.

you could remove shutters and do a wider trim around both windows, painted black.

as for the steps, yes, too short.

what if you tried something like this? notice the handrail too

also, notice this shutter-less window. you might try a window box. Very similar house to yours. They chose to do a portico.

gray color to match your siding

Not sure what kind of tree that is, but if it's going to grow taller, I'd move it away from the house. it's too close.

another idea for porch/steps is to tile them w/slate

If you want, you could build a little front porch under the left window, similar to this one.

Your house isn’t symmetrical, and unless you spend a whole lot on new windows, it will never be. But there are reasonable things you can do that will lessen the asymmetry and give lookers a focal point so that the asymmetry is way down on the list of things they notice…bigger shutters on the small window, make the 3 steps the same width as the landing and install two handrails, maybe a second porch light on the other side of the door, and add symmetry through the close to the house landscaping. Your house is really cute as is, don’t fall into the trap of adding more = looks better.

The steps to your porch should be the width of the porch. With railings on both sides.

The black shutters make the symmetry issue even more noticeable. Paint them white for a cheap, quick way to gain some balance. Increase the size of your lantern light to 1/3 of the door's height. Wide steps with handrails and a portico over the landing would help a lot. This style would make a big difference in the focal point entry. Of course it is a bit large for your house, bur for concept.

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Remove the shutters, or replace them with larger white ones. You could relocate the tree, or add a window box. If you remove the shutters altogether, consider two matching light fixtures at the door. Paint the front door a fun color.

By the way, cute house.

Thanks so much!!! These are all great suggestions. If I widen the steps and add a second handrail, should both rails be white? Or black?

Also if I revamp the lighting and add a matching sconce on the opposite side for symmetry, is it an issue that the left and right sides (of house) are different depths? (One is same depth as door, other is ~2 feet forward)

I like pops of black so I’d stick with black handrails (but white isn’t a wrong answer, black just matches your light and mailbox). I don’t think the depths will make a difference, the front door is like your feature wall or the rooms focal point. Eyes will notice that first, so if it’s looking open and inviting and symmetrical that’s the impression the whole front of the house will give even if the windows aren’t. First impressions and all that jazz.